Clinical trials rooted in evidence form the backbone of advancing surgical technology in India. By affirming new instruments and methodologies, these studies enhance patient results, influence policy creation, and ensure that technological breakthroughs remain accessible, efficient, and safe for a varied population. These efforts also cultivate a tradition of perpetual enhancement, enabling medical practitioners to lead in surgical advancements, thereby contributing to India’s healthcare system development, according to Rohit Mahajan, the Asia commercial operations director at Intuitive.
Since its introduction to India over twenty years ago, robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS) have steadily expanded in hospitals across the nation. With over 170 da Vinci installations and more than 100,000 procedures completed using this system, there’s a push to broaden the RAS framework beyond major cities into smaller towns. Encouraging awareness of RAS benefits, fostering public-private collaborations, and advocating for inclusion in significant health insurance plans can enhance its affordability and accessibility for every societal segment, Mahajan added.
Government support toward this technological advancement by minimizing import duties could further reduce patient costs. As leaders in RAS, Intuitive collaborates with surgical societies, associations, and industry figures to promote awareness and increase RAS adoption, Mahajan shared.
By integrating da Vinci technology within Indian hospitals, Intuitive provides top-tier technological training and long-term support to surgeons—from early technology exposure to advanced training and mentoring—ensuring the proper skill set for optimal utilization of the da Vinci system. Moreover, through initiatives like the Xi Experience Centre and Remote Case Observations using Intuitive Telepresence, they assist healthcare professionals in understanding and harnessing RAS benefits with the da Vinci system for enhanced patient care.
The forthcoming stage of robotic surgery will be a digitally supported ecosystem, assimilating state-of-the-art tools and data insights essential for each stage of the patient journey. Focusing on Surgical Data Science aids in standardizing the quality of robotic surgery across practitioners, uncovering innovative methods of surgical enhancement, reducing complications, and personalizing care.
Evidence-based clinical studies underpin the progress of surgical technologies, demonstrating treatment efficacy and helping surgeons make informed decisions for improved patient outcomes. Recently, in partnership with 14 governmental and private centers in India, Intuitive released a clinical study on robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) using the da Vinci system. This kind of research fosters wider RAS adoption within the surgical community in India, boosting surgeon confidence in its application, Mahajan concluded.